Austin (TX) American-Statesman, 8/11:
Opinion
Central Texas officials ousted Lone Star, but not commuter rail
In order to save commuter rail connecting Austin to San Antonio, the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization had to destroy it.
That essentially is what the CAMPO board did this week when it voted 17-1 to initiate the end of the Lone Star Rail District’s rail line by removing it from CAMPO’s 25-year transportation plan. Two CAMPO members abstained.
SNIP
“Like many of my colleagues on the CAMPO board, I have lost faith in the ability of Lone Star Rail as an organization to spearhead this mission,” Eckhardt said. “I am committed to working with the Texas Department of Transportation and our partners in the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization to complete the Environmental Impact Statement (for rail) and engage Union Pacific in partnership to effectively and efficiently move people and goods through the IH35 corridor.”
If a majority of CAMPO members are serious about creating mobility solutions that are right for the region, they should not drag their feet on rail.
More here.